PDP Is Insensitive To The Plight Of Lagosians

HAKEEM BAMGBOLA, an Action Congress chairmanship aspirant in Itire/Ikate LCDA, speaks on the forthcoming local government election in the state, and his ambition

Q: What is the motivating factor behind your ambition?
A: I was a former vice chairman of the council area and later the acting chairman. During my administration, I have been able to effect positive changes both in governance and in the lives of the people and I must say I contributed so much to extend the dividends of democracy to the people. That is why I am staging a comeback and this time, it is for total consolidation of my past efforts. I am also well prepared to meet the challenges as they come.

Q: What do you think are the problems facing the people of Itire/Ikate?
A: I would say the major problem or challenge is meeting the expectations of the people and one has to set a criterion on how to manage this, because it is a great challenge. But my past record has always been speaking for me as I was not only able to meet their expectation, but also able to put similes on the face of residents through poverty alleviation programme, job creation and improvement on the standard of living. There are also the problem of drainage, construction of roads and provision of efficient and affordable health care delivery system. All these are what my administration would put in place. There is also the issue of flooding, which will also be tackled.

Q: What is your view on the agitation by opposition parties that election should only be conducted in 20 council areas?
A: We are using the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas because that is the wish of the people and I believe the will of the people must prevail. The opposition party you are talking about, I believe, is PDP and I must tell you that the party is insensitive to the plight of Lagosians. In the last eight years that Obasanjo, a Yoruba and PDP ruled this country, they did their best to send Lagos State to the doldrums. So, if they are insisting on 20 local government areas again in this dispensation, they will surely fail. The PDP as a party, does not care about Lagosians, so we are unruffled since the wish of the people will triumph.

Q: What is your assessment of the present administration in the state?
A: The present administration of Barrister Babatunde Fashola is worthy of emulation as the governor is a hard working and honest leader. His administration had embarked on numerous meaningful development projects and he must be highly commended for his foresight. All stakeholders in the state should encourage and support Governor Fashola so that more development would be achieved.

Q: In a nutshell, what are your plans for the residents?
A: I am a grassroots man, who is very close to the people and my programmes would be people-oriented. On assumption of office, we will make an appraisal of all the problems on ground and do our best to touch the lives of the people in the community.